N9ne: The Tale of Kevin Clearwater (King, #9)(69)

I shrug and take another drag of my smoke. “He’s dead. I killed him. You’re not the only one he stole from, and when I went to ask him about the money he took shots and hit Bear. So, I took him down.”

Tico nods several times approvingly. “Good. That man was a fucking coward. Always has been. I’m disappointed about not getting to do it myself, but the fact that he’s dead still brings me great joy. It figures that he couldn’t take his punishment like a fucking man.” He sighs. “I’ll be honest with you, kid, because you’ve been honest with me. After Jared disappeared, we did look into the girl, naturally, which is why my men came after her. That’s when we found these.” He hands me a file. “Every page has two signatures. Jared Cox and a witness, Lenore Leary. This is why we initially thought she had some involvement, but we quickly learned that her signature was forged after comparing it to her real estate deals. We no longer have any interest in her. You need not worry about her safety. At least, where I’m concerned.”

Then who put the hit out on Lenny if it wasn’t Tico?

“So, you’re just going to drop the fact that you were ripped off for millions? I don’t know you personally, but I know your reputation, and I feel like you’re the kind of man who doesn’t wash his hands of a few million dollars easily.”

Tico chuckles. “You would be correct in that assumption. I’m not the kind of man who would let that slide. Ever, but you see, I’ve been paid back. All is well.”

“Wait, you’ve been paid back? By who?” I ask.

“I am not sure. All I know is that several days ago, I was transferred the money I am owed plus a decent amount of interest from an anonymous encrypted account. They signed the transfer with the name Lenore Leary. However, it came from one of the best encryptions my hackers have ever come across. So, you see, I’m not a stupid man. I do not believe that a person who would go to the trouble of making where the money came untraceable would also be stupid enough to sign off with a name. Looks like someone has it out for your girl.”

This isn’t making sense. Jared’s dead. He couldn’t have sent it. Then who? “Then, why did you put the severed head of Jared’s business partner Sheff in her bed and his body in my brother’s back yard?” I ask. “If you knew those documents were forged? Or better yet, why did you put a price on her head id you have no interest in her?”

He raises his eyebrows. “That sounds like an interesting story, but that is not my style. Severed heads.” He scoffs. “I am not a barbarian. Besides, Sheff is the one who discovered Jared’s wrongdoings in the first place. He works for me and is one of us, or was one of us. It is a tragic loss for our side, but at least, I now know why I haven’t been able to reach him. And it is true that I was looking for the girl, but as I said, that was the extent of it. There is no finesse in warning people with body parts unless it is showing them their own. I told you. We have no interest in the girl. She’s made no moves to tell us otherwise. I’ve put no price on her head.” He pauses. “However, I was told that a message was received by many about this price, but it was not from me. I am a businessman, not a classless thug. I take down those who cross me, not those who are obviously being framed so they can meet my unwarranted wrath. I am no monster, contrary to popular belief. I have daughters of my own, you know. Killing a woman unless you know without a doubt that she’s guilty of the crime, well, my friend, that is not something I am not capable of.”

“Then, who the fuck…” I trail off, wracking my brain.

“I don’t know who, but if you care about this girl, then it sounds like you are going to want to figure that out, and soon.” Tico stares down into his whiskey. “I lost my beloved Lidia because I realized far too late that she was in danger. Don’t make the same mistake. In the meantime, my people are working to figure out who is acting on my behalf without my permission, because that is a person who will most definitely be meeting my wrath.”

I nod my thanks and turn toward the large doors which are sliding open behind me when Tico calls out to me once more. “Word of advice, young friend? If you figure out who this imposter is, who has it out for your girl, before I do, make sure they are good and dead, yes? The voice of fear fades in the mind over time and whatever vendetta this person has against her will only rise again and shout over that fear until they’ve accomplished whatever it is they started.”

“Don’t worry,” I clench my fists and head to the door. “Dead won’t be a fucking problem.”





When I get home, Pike is waiting for me on the porch. “I got your text and drove straight here. Lenny’s fine. She’s inside sleeping, don’t think she ever knew you were gone. How did it go, man?”

“I’m alive, so that’s one good thing. The other good thing is that he says he’s not interested in Lenny, and he knows she ain’t got shit to do with Jared’s scheme, and she doesn’t have his money. The bad news is that someone left that severed head in her bed and the body in the yard, and he says it wasn’t him. Same goes for the price on her head.”

“Then, who the fuck was it?” Pike asks, scratching his head.

“I don’t fuckin’ know man. It can’t be a message just for me because the head was at Lenny’s. It’s got to be for the both of us.”